Always Drink Good Wine

It has become a major problem in the Napa Valley, but Orin Swift cannot be kept under lock and key. He recently escaped from the vineyard’s detention cellar. I have been told that he will be captured just in time for his formal sentencing (a.k.a. new release) on November 2 – Call it an Election Day Special!

The wine is outstanding, and as always, Dave Phinney had me sign a sworn statement not to reveal the varietals and vineyards used for this blend!

If you want to take advantage of our pre-sale offer of Orrin Swift 2009 Prisonerat only $35.99 per bottle, do it now. You will receive FREE SHIPPING on a FULL CASE PURCHASE. (Usually reserved for purchases of $500.00 or more.) CALL ME DIRECTLY to get this offer! 415-337-4083.

On the nose there is big, rich blackberry followed by notes of tar and currants. On the palate this wine is sneaky with a long finish. It begins with a very rich, sweet entry and though packed with tannin, it never shows those tannins – absolutely palate coating with venison, smoke, tobacco and cloves. The very ripe, sweet tannins allow the wine to truly coat the palate with richness.

Extremely well balanced, this wine should age gracefully for years to come. If consumed in the next couple of years, I highly recommend a few hours (or better yet, one day) of decanting. Only 264 cases produced.

I am humbled, and want to thank everyone for sticking with me during these first five years. I know many of you have known me for much longer and I want to thank you for following me through my “wine career.” I could not have done it without any of you. I look forward to the next five years and beyond. As always let me know if there is anything you would like to see different. On that note, we will have a new website in 2011!

As Fall has arrived, so have some great autumn wines. I also hear some major rumbling that Coho could well be the winery of the year. So for those of you that have yet to pick up their allocation, I still have some wine in stock from this much sought after winery.

I know it is early to mention, but start thinking about those holiday gifts. Thanksgiving is only one month away and Christmas two months. We ship any quantity, so if you have that relative, friend, client that only deserves one bottle; not to worry, we’ll ship it – but we will gladly ship more!

I met up with the Showket folks this week and was happily impressed with their 2007 portfolio.This neighbor of Dalla Valle (at one point they shared the same winemaker – Heidi Barrett) has been producing some amazing wines for the past 15 years. Today with Russell Bevan at the helm it seems that they have kicked things into a higher gear! Russell’s own wines have been receiving high scores from Robert Parker (95+ Points, sourced from the Showket vineyards!). I foresee Showket to get some high scores as well! The 2007 releases from Showket might be their best effort yet to date.As it was the case with previous vintages, Showket’s production is limited, so one would snooze and they would pass you by.

2007 was a perfect vintage for many wineries, ditto for Showket. From the second you first pour this wine, it demands your attention with a dark ruby color and aromatics which jump from the glass. This is a big concentrated wine, loaded with flavorful fruit and well-balanced acidity.It has a compelling nose of black cherry, plum, and vibrant spices. It has a lively texture that makes it a perfect accompaniment to traditional Italian cuisine.

The Asante Sana is Showket’s “Super Tuscan” from Napa Valley.It is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.The wine starts of with a vibrant aroma of spice and seasoned fruit.On the initial palate one is greeted by a Brunello-like taste and texture, flowing into the mid-palate one experiences a hint more Napa Cab-like black stone fruit.As it is the case with its Italian ancestors this wine has rich, velvety tannins and a vibrant texture that makeit a fabulous wine to pair with a wide range of cuisines from grilled meats to delicate pastas and seafood.This wine is showing very well now and will continue to gain complexity for many years to come.400 cases produced!